Fools and Sages

These Fools explore the link between individual psychological tendencies and mass consciousness. Are ideologies the outcome of individual dysfunctions projected into the group? Modernism and post-modernism get a look through the lens of materialism and spirit, as these Fools consider how societies create the environment for individual freedom and healthy collaboration. Enjoy!

These Fools talk about Brian’s apricot trees, and his musings on the deep meaning of the term “fruitfulness” - its origins in language and usage, its implications for our interrelationship with nature and stewardship, and its insights into the nobility of common struggle, the tension between surrender and control, and meaning itself. Dedicated to Frank Andrews: may he rest in peace.

These Fools contemplate a case from Boaz’s coaching practice, in which play is proposed as an antidote to the voice of excessive self-criticism (perfectionism.) They discuss the ideas of play and its role in human development as well as the psychology of self-criticism, and explore how these topics interrelate (and how they don’t.) What constitutes play for an adult? What is meant by “integrating”...

These Fools welcome guest Geoffrey Moore, world-renowned business strategist famous for books such as “Crossing the Chasm” and consultant with leading enterprises such as Salesforce, Intel, and Microsoft. Geoff introduces “The Infinite Staircase,” his proposal for a metaphysics that provides a secular framework for ethics. He and these Fools explore the human experience and how we develop in our s...

These Fools explore the archetypal meaning of history’s most famous dictator, whose name is synonymous with humanity’s darkest potential. In a competitive field, why do we uniquely associate Hitler with evil? A phenomenological review touches on rhetoric, black magic, the meaning of moral courage and individual responsibility, and ultimately, meaning itself. Have yourself a good listen. foolsandsa...

These Fools welcome guest Allison Gerard, Managing Director of Moral Courage, to the podcast. Moral Courage, founded by Irshad Manji, teaches people of all ages “to turn heated issues into healthy conversations and sustained teamwork.” Allison shares her definition of moral courage and the factors in our societal discourse that make it imperative today. The discussion turns to politics, psychology...

These Fools start out talking about the transient quality of work, family, community, and life in general, in the West and especially in the US, and muse about the role of “Place” in antidoting it. Aristotle, Hegel, Wendell Berry, Hopi prophecy, Freud, and other sources come up as the Fools consider how Place shapes identity, the nature of Nature, and the individual/collective, internal/external j...

These Fools react to recent news and consider the ethical implications of cloning extinct species, and whether we could expect to give Dire Wolves belly rubs. This provides a jumping-off point to look at various philosophers’ views on ethics and how we can evaluate our actions in pursuit of “doing the right thing.” Happy listening!

These Fools start out talking about Brian’s recent musings on how the integration of image makes a “philosophical machine” like Tiger & Dragon works so much better than a more rational explanation of a similar concept. This leads to an exploration of the role of image in creating our semantic world, a conversation about Hesse’s Demian and the loss of innocence, and an admonition about the role...

These Fools discuss “getting older.” What do we mean by development? How do we know if we’re doing it right? How does our relationship to our mortality change as we get older, and what impact does that have on what development means to us? Fools draw on Sages from Eastern philosophy, Greek philosophy, German hermeneutics and phenomenology, and a bit of Monty Python. Join us! 

These Fools consult the I Ching - the ancient Chinese oracle - about the current state of things. Brian explains the origin and history of the I Ching, how to use it, and its metaphysical essence, then shares the resulting reading and some interpretation. 

These Fools are joined by Paul Fenn, Founder of Local Power and inventor of “Community Choice Aggregation” for municipal energy procurement. Paul shares his fascinating background that includes a deep relationship to philosophy, political theory, psychology, energy policy and municipal engagement, leading to a discussion of the state of the American psyche, (for which Paul has a fearless diagnosis...

In this episode, these Fools take a recent X post by Jon Haidt as fodder for conversation, relating to our need to “regain our attention” and stop fragmenting ourselves and our reality. They explore the nature of fragmentation, discipline, self-improvement, and - most importantly - reveal the three methods of demon-slaying. Happy listening!

These Fools discuss the nature of organizational culture, and the mysteries of creating common culture in companies that span multiple geographies, languages, and contexts. This leads to a conversation about energetics, the various layers of human experience that comprise culture, and the relationship between individual and collective reality. And, of course, so much more. Enjoy!

In today’s episode, these fools start out talking about the magic of reading books, then get into the relationship between language and thought, and how our thinking is changing today as a result of new understanding and new ideas. Enjoy! 

In this episode, we fools talk about the relationship between psychology and philosophy, the whole and its parts, especially in organizations. Concepts such as semantic reality and the relationship between the finite and the infinite give new context to organizational culture, strategy, and leadership. Enjoy! 

These fools consider the implications of mankind forming a ‘global brain’ and reflect on Marshall McLuhan’s contribution to human understanding. The resulting conversation explores media - and human-made tools in general - through various philosophical lenses, as both outcomes and inputs to the development of consciousness. Enjoy!  

In this episode, these fools use the recent infamous Oval Office meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy and VP Vance as an entree into the relationship between morality and pragmatism, the role of morality in government, and the unique challenges faced by statesmen. This leads to threads on the philosophy of power, the nature of bureaucracy and historical cycles. Enjoy! 

These fools continue their conversation with Dr. Claudia Hauer, philosophy professor at St. John’s College, and explore a wide range of topics including how thinking changed post-WWII, connections between philosophy, psychology, and religion, and how we understand and develop this “new ethics.” Enjoy! 

In this episode these fools explore why ethics (how we treat each other) might be a more fundamental issue than it seems, and how dialogue might be a key vehicle for the emergence of a new ethics for our time. Enjoy!

In this episode, Brian and Boaz discuss the relationship between phenomenology (the study of human experience), hermeneutics (the practice of “not misunderstanding”), and how we use our subjective, internal experience to derive sense and meaning. Dive in and think with us fools! 

In this episode Brian and Boaz discuss "mind-body connection" - the relationship between physicality and consciousness - and its connection to personal development in general and through specific practices like martial arts. These fools also connect practical wisdom (phronesis) to organizational health and business dynamics.  Enjoy!

In this episode, these fools examine how cognitive models shape meaning, including how consciousness may precede the material world, and highlighting the role of language as a precursor to meaning. Heady stuff, but useful groundwork for understanding what “meaning-making” even is. Enjoy! 

In this episode of the Fools and Sages podcast, Brian and Boaz explore hermeneutics and its impact on dialogue, language, consciousness, personal experience, and the world around us. They discuss the connection between intentionality and hermeneutics, how to enhance understanding through this lens, the role of language in shaping consciousness and ethics, and the merging horizons of dialogue and d...

In this episode, Boaz and Brian discuss Vivek Ramaswamy’s comments on H1B visas and American culture, opening up a discussion of race, class, and political discourse. The conversation touches on ethical responsibilities, the challenges of meaningful dialogue in a polarized society, and the need for integrated diversity. They also discuss the Confucian concept of the "Chun Tzu" and its relevance to...